How Do Gold Metal Detectors Work?

Metal detectors have a long history, they have been around since 1881, when the first metal detector was invented by Alexander Graham Bell. But, it’s only been in the last few decades that technology has allowed for detectors that are designed to distinguish gold from other metals. Metal detectors have a coil that produces alternating current that then goes through another coil to produce a magnetic field. When the detector is near metal, those currents flow into the metal and an additional magnetic field is produced. The metal detector’s coil will sense the magnetic field and alert that metal is present.

With a gold metal detector, the process is more advanced. The invention of the pulse induction metal detector made it possible to differentiate gold from other metals. A pulse induction detector shoots a high voltage signal into the ground. As the detector locates metal, the rate of pulses per second allow the detector to determine if the target is gold or some other type of metal. These specialized metal detectors can search deeper and be set to only alert when gold is found.

What are the Different Types of Gold Metal Detectors?

Generally speaking, gold detectors come in two types. They either use lower frequency pulse induction circuits (as mentioned above), or higher frequency VLF circuits. Detectors with VLF circuits are very gold-sensitive but are also sensitive to other minerals in the ground. However, these detectors can be set to filter out much of the interference caused by the other minerals. Pulse induction detectors are good at ignoring tough ground mineralization and locating larger gold nuggets at greater depths.

Does the Type of Search Coil on a Gold Metal Detector Matter?

Which type of search coil you use on your gold metal detector can make a difference in what you find. There are two types of search coils, concentric and widescan. Concentric coils are better at discrimination while widescan are less affected to ground mineralization. Typically, smaller search coils provide greater sensitivity to smaller objects and better target separation, while larger coils will provide better depth and ground coverage.

How Deep Can a Gold Metal Detector Go?

Gold metal detectors can go fairly deep for bigger gold nuggets and less so for smaller ones. A gold nugget that is good sized can be detected at more than a foot deep, while a single grain nugget can usually be detected easily at depths of a few inches.

What is Ground Balancing and Is It Necessary?

How mineralized the ground is varies depending on the location you are searching. Without ground balancing, your detector will not be able to sort through all the minerals and you will receive false signals. Ground balancing allows your metal detector to filter out the iron content in the ground you are searching, making your alerts more accurate and your hunt more productive.

Where Should I Search for Gold?

To find gold, you have to be searching in the right areas! The best way to determine where the right places to hunt are is by doing some research into gold producing areas. There are many books available to help you find areas where gold has been found, as well as online resources that have maps of those locations. Check out our collection of books on metal detecting for gold for more help.